The output value of each cubic meter of waste water or gas discharged in China increased by 52.3 percent from last year to 1.60 yuan ($0.25), suggesting the economy has become more efficient, said a report released on Sunday.
The report, compiled by the World Economy Research Center of Beijing Technology and Business University, calculated the ratio of regional nominal GDP to the annual amount of pollutants discharged in 300 cities and provinces in China.
Among provinces and municipalities, Beijing was the greatest emitter, having an output value of 5.31 yuan for each cubic meter of its discharges. The number was far less for other provinces. Among the three provinces that appeared lowest in the ranking, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Shanxi province, the average output value per unit was less than 0.2 yuan.
The survey suggested that heavy emissions of industrial fumes have become more common in China since 2007. The quick development of China’s western region has worsened environmental pollution and ecological destruction.
The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, an ecologically fragile area, now has the worst air quality of all provincial-level places, according to the report.
The report also used an index to gauge the environmentally “green” development of the 300 cities and provinces on the list.
Beijing, which was used as the standard with which to compare the other places, had a score of 1, while the average index score for 31 provinces and municipalities was 0.19. Tibet had a score of 0.76 and Shanghai of 0.62.
Efficiency and economic structure are important contributors to a green economy, which, according to the United Nations’ definition, “pursues improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”.
Ji Zhu, director of the Beijing Technology and Business University’s world economy research center, suggested that it is unreasonable to expect the industrial economy to continuously expand. Market demand is already shrinking, and oversupply will only lead to smaller profits and greater pollution.
Changes in the economy and environmental protection laws are needed to establish a green economy, the report said.
Businesses that discharge large amounts of waste might now be fined by environmental protection departments. The main cause of the worsening pollution is the loose control exercised over waste dumps.
“Another way to improve efficiency is to advance technology,” said Shen Jiru, political economist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. “If all farmers in China used management tools on computers, just as their American counterparts do, they could avoid overusing pesticide and reduce costs and pollution.”
